Electrical distribution jack



June 23,1949. E. w. HARRIS v 2,474,356

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION JACK Filed Aug. 19, 1946 Inventor Erizesi 11V.Harrisa Patented June 28, 1949 'OFFlCE'I This invention relates toelectric connectors" andimore particularly to connector'r'attachmentsrfor I usefin' connection withr the illumination of Christmas trees.

The invention has for its main object to provide a simple and effectiveattachment, which may serve as a distributing connector for manyelectric connections and which may be fixed to the tree without specificfixation means.

A further object of the invention consists in providing a connectorattachment which effects a substantially radial distribution of theconnection wires leading to the lamp bulb and which permits concealmentof the attachment and of the wires radiating therefrom.

A further object of the invention consists in providing a connectorattachment which is easy to manufacture and which has to be providedonly in a limited number of sizes to fit all the trees to be decorated.

Further objects are explained below in connection with a more detaileddescription of the invention.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing. It is however, to be understood that this embodiment is to beregarded as an example serving as a base for the explanation anddescription of the invention. With the aid of this specific embodimentthe invention is described in such terms as to enable the expert skilledin this art to construct or design other desired modifications of thesame. Such modifications as foreshadowed in the specification andcovered by the annexed claim are therefore not to be regarded asdeparture from the invention.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a plan view,

Figure 2 is an elevational side view, partly in section of the treeilluminating outfit,

Figure 3 is a section through the connector on an enlarged scale, and

Figure 4 is a part of a side view showing an extension receptacle.

The illumination of a tree, such as a Christmas tree, by means of alarge number of light bulbs presents certain difiiculties on account ofthe large number of connections which have to be made with the mainlines or the power circuits of the house. As such an illumination servesdecorative purposes and as the outline or appearance of the tree shouldnot be impaired, the electrical connections have to be concealed as faras possible. While it is easily possible to conceal the radially runningwires and a few isolated plug 1 Claim. (01. ire-seer connections,@transver'se wires, boxes forj "large numberiof connections andotherequipment are conspicudus and are cifii'cu1t to mcunt ona =tr'e ofrelatively smalusizi Moreover; "tn e brancriing off of a large number ofwires or cords from a single point causes a congestion which isunsightly.

The invention therefore, provides a multiple connector which distributesthe connections radially along a stretch of sufficient length andfacilitates mounting without the use of fixation means which aredamaging, such as nails or screws, permits easy change of the location,and concealment of the connector attachment, and allows an essentiallyradial spreading of the connecting wires or cables so that these wiresmay not interfere with the decorative appearance.

To achieve these results the attachment consists of a rubber connector 5of horseshoe form of a substantially rectangular cross-section (Fig. 3)which encircles the trunk of the tree and which adapts itselfautomatically to every size of the trunk, within certain limitsattaching itself firmly to the trunk in any position which may beselected without special attachment or fixation means. The attachmentmay be easily concealed below a branching point for the branches of atree or below some other decoration.

The outer or radially directed face l2 of the connector attachment isformed by a rubber strip provided with two rows 6, 1 of connection jacks8, 9 each jack arranged for making connection with a single wire plug IEor it. Preferably one supply or feed wire H], II respectively, connectsall the jacks 8 or 9 respectively, of a row, so that the two plugs l 5,I 6 of a connecting wire I8 leading to a bulb 20 or to a series of bulbshave to be inserted into adjacent jacks of the two rows. If desired, thedistance of the two rows 6, 1 may be so chosen that double plugs may beused for connection wires bridging the two rows, but single plugs seento be preferable as connections are more flexible and are more easilyconcealed. A feed plug and cord I3 is arranged which supplies the twofeed wires I0, I i with current. Moreover, an extension receptacle I4 isarranged which is preferably of the usual double plug type so that anextension cord IQ of the usual type may be plugged in. This receptaclel4 may be used in connection with the feed plug of another connectorattachment of the same or another type, to be used in the event thatfurther lamp circuits have to be fed.

In order to facilitate the mounting of the electrical connections theouter or radially directed face 12 of the rubber connector may consistof a carrier body holding in a detachable manner a separate sheet 2|carrying all the electrical connections. For this purpose the sheet maybe inserted behind suitable ears 22 and edges 23 of the main body of theattachment.

It will be noted that the horseshoe connector attachment permits aperfect radial distribution of the connections either all around thetree or around that portion of the entire periphery which is usuallydecorated and presents itself to the spectator.

By using two or more attachments clamped to the tree at diiferentheights, all the connection wires may be placed radially along branchesand twigs thus permitting to secure the desired decorative effect.

Minor changes of the details will not change the basic idea of theinvention as claimed.

I claim:

A connector attachment for electric light bulbs to be attached to atree, comprising a hollow horseshoe shaped body of rubber, a separaterubber sheet forming the outer side of said horseshoe REFERENCES CITEDThe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,891,341 Barocas Dec. 20, 19322,230,900 Neitzke Feb. 4, 1941 2,275,533 Landy Mar. 10, 1942 2,312,454Trautner Mar. 2, 1943

